Forest department proposes five check dams in Ghata to prevent waterlogging in Gurgaon

The forest department has proposed to construct five check dams in three months at a cost of ₹2-₹2.5 crore.

The 350-acre Ghata Jheel in Sector 58 was once counted among the biggest natural water bodies in Gurgaon.(Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

Following the direction of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar to construct embankments along Ghata village, the forest department submitted a proposal in this regard to the divisional commissioner office last week.

The forest department has proposed to construct five check dams in three months at a cost of ₹2-₹2.5 crore.

The proposed structures are to hold the water run-off from the Aravallis, which causes waterlogging in Ghata, Wazirabad, Silani, Haiderpur Viran, Chakkarpur and Nathupur.

“After a detailed study of Ghata village, which took the department four months, we submitted a proposal to the divisional commissioner of Gurgaon. We are waiting for approval,” Anand R, divisional forest officer, Gurgaon, said.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had ordered the construction of the embankments during his visit to Gurgaon on August 1.

However, the divisional commissioner said he is yet to review the proposal. “I will look into the proposal and decide its feasibility soon,” D Suresh, divisional commissioner, Gurgaon, said.

Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) had proposed the Ghata lake project in April and had sought the help of the Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC) to conduct a survey. HARSAC conducted satellite mapping of the area and proposed 250 sites for construction of check dams.

In July, the Haryana chief secretary said that the forest department should go ahead with the project as the land belongs to the department.

Later, the conservator of forest, south circle, Haryana, MD Sinha, conducted a detailed study of the area to make an accurate estimate for the project. “To improve the situation in the city during the monsoon, we submitted a proposal. Before the next monsoon, Ghata village will be ready to hold the rainwater, which otherwise floods the city,” Sinha said.

The Ghata lake, a seasonal water body, was documented in the Gazette of India (1883). The natural lake and the bundh were filled with water up to 50 feet, until five years ago, and covered 370 acres.

This area also comes under the ambit of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. “This is the best time to construct the check dams. The plan is to trap the water at the foothills. Honouring the chief minister’s motive to protect the area, we are expediting the project,” Sinha said.

Gurgaon had 117 ponds in 2000, but only six of these are traceable now. Experts said that the current trend might turn the area into a dry land. Also, a three-hour spell of rain can cause serious problems to residents if the check dams do not come up soon.